Umpolung Reactions of α‐Imino Esters: Useful Methods for the Preparation of α‐Amino Acid Frameworks

This paper summarizes our recent efforts toward the development of tandem reactions utilizing umpolung reactions of α‐imino esters. A highly diastereoselective tandem N‐alkylation–Mannich reaction of α‐imino esters was developed. A tandem N‐alkylation–addition reaction of α‐imino esters derived from ethyl glyoxylate with various aldehydes proceeded to give 1,2‐amino alcohols. The same reaction also proceeded efficiently using a novel flow system comprising two connected microreactors. Novel syntheses of α‐quaternary alkynyl amino esters and allenoates were developed through the use of umpolung N‐addition to β,γ‐alkynyl α‐imino esters, followed by regioselective acylation. In addition, a highly regioselective tandem N‐alkylation–vinylogous aldol reaction of β,γ‐alkenyl α‐imino esters was discovered. N‐Alkylation of α‐iminophosphonates followed by a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction with aldehydes occurred to afford enamines, which can be used in a four‐component coupling reaction with methyl vinyl ketone. α‐N‐Acyloxyimino esters served as highly efficient substrates for the N,N,C‐trialkylation reaction to introduce various nucleophiles at the imino nitrogen and carbon atoms.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of ω-azolylalkenes [1]

ω-Azolylalkenes 3, 4, and 5 were synthesized by N-alkylation of C-alkylation of ω-bromoalkenes 2, which were obtained either by phase transfer Wittig reactions of ω-bromoalkylphosphonium salts 1 with aldehydes or by Wittig reactions of ω-hydroxyalkylphosphonium salts 6 with aldehydes and subsequent bromination. ω-Azolylalkenes 3 were also directly prepared by the Wittig reaction of ω-azolylalkyltriphenylphosphonium salts 8 with aromatic aldehydes. The stereochemistry of these Wittig reactions was studied. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Light‐Driven Organocatalysis Using Inexpensive,Nontoxic Bi2O3 as the Photocatalyst

The development of enantioselective catalytic processes that make use of sunlight as the energy source and nontoxic, affordable materials as catalysts represents one of the new and rapidly evolving areas in chemical research. The direct asymmetric α‐alkylation of aldehydes with α‐bromocarbonyl compounds can be successfully achieved by combining bismuth‐based materials as low‐band‐gap photocatalysts with the second‐generation MacMillan imidazolidinone as the chiral catalyst and simulated sunlight as a low‐cost and clean energy source. This reaction also proceeded with high efficiency when the reaction vial was exposed to the morning sunlight on a clear September day in Tarragona, Spain.     

Light‐Driven Organocatalysis Using Inexpensive,Nontoxic Bi2O3 as the Photocatalyst

The development of enantioselective catalytic processes that make use of sunlight as the energy source and nontoxic, affordable materials as catalysts represents one of the new and rapidly evolving areas in chemical research. The direct asymmetric α‐alkylation of aldehydes with α‐bromocarbonyl compounds can be successfully achieved by combining bismuth‐based materials as low‐band‐gap photocatalysts with the second‐generation MacMillan imidazolidinone as the chiral catalyst and simulated sunlight as a low‐cost and clean energy source. This reaction also proceeded with high efficiency when the reaction vial was exposed to the morning sunlight on a clear September day in Tarragona, Spain.     

Direct α‐Alkylation of Aldehydes by Brønsted‐Acid Catalysis

A Brønsted acid catalyzed direct alkylation reaction of aldehydes was described. The 3,5‐dinitrobenzoic acid promoted the reaction between aldehydes and diarylmethanols to afford the corresponding alkylation products with middle to high yields (up to 91% yield).     

Organocatalyzed Cyclopropanation of α‐Substituted α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclopropanes Bearing a Chiral Quaternary Center

An enantioselective cyclopropanation of α‐substituted α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with bromomalonate has been successfully developed through a domino Michael/α‐alkylation strategy. The method allows the efficient formation of cyclopropanes bearing a quaternary carbon stereocenter at the α‐position of the aldehydes by using iminium/enamine catalysis and gives a nice extension on the organocatalytic cyclopropanation of bromomalonate and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes previously reported by other groups. Very good yields (up to 81 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee) have been obtained. The optically active cyclopropane derivatives are of high synthetic interest as useful targets for further elaboration into more complex structures.     

A Simple Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized 4‐Aminopyrazolidin‐3‐ones as ‘Aza‐deoxa’ Analogs of D‐Cycloserine

A simple five‐step synthesis of fully substituted (4RS,5RS)‐4‐aminopyrazolidin‐3‐ones as analogs of D ‐cycloserine was developed. It comprises a two‐step preparation of 5‐substituted (4RS,5RS)‐4‐(benzyloxycarbonylamino)pyrazolidin‐3‐ones, reductive alkylation at N(1), alkylation of the amidic N(2) with alkyl halides, and simultaneous hydrogenolytic deprotection/reductive alkylation of the primary NH₂ group. The synthesis enables an easy stepwise functionalization of the pyrazolidin‐3‐one core with only two types of common reagents, aldehydes (or ketones) and alkyl halides. The structures of products were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction.     

1,2,3,–Triazole‐Based Catalysts: From Metal‐ to Supramolecular Organic Catalysis

1,2,3‐Triazoles are unique heterocycles with intriguing physical properties that allow not only the coordination to metals, but also the establishment of supramolecular interactions based on their polarized C?H bonds. In this account, an extensive work of our group on the design and application of 1,2,3‐triazole catalysts is covered. Initially, a family of BINOL triazoles (Click‐BINOLs) was synthesized and employed in model test reactions in asymmetric metal catalysis such as the Ti‐catalyzed addition of alkylzinc reagents to aldehydes. The evolution from the Click‐BINOLs to a novel class of triazole‐based anion‐binding organocatalysts is further discussed. Consequently, these catalysts were successfully applied in alkylation reactions, as well as asymmetric dearomatizations of diverse N‐heteroarenes.     

The Catalytic Asymmetric α‐Benzylation of Aldehydes

The first aminocatalyzed α‐alkylation of α‐branched aldehydes with benzyl bromides as alkylating agents has been developed. Using a sterically demanding proline derived catalyst, racemic α‐branched aldehydes are reacted with alkylating agents in a DYKAT process to give the corresponding α‐alkylated aldehydes with quaternary stereogenic centers in good yields and high enantioselectivities.     

Directly Bridging Indoles to 3,3′‐Bisindolylmethanes by Using Carboxylic Acids and Hydrosilanes under Mild Conditions

A straightforward Lewis acid‐promoted protocol for 3,3′‐bisindolylmethanes (BIMs) synthesis by reductive alkylation of indoles at the C3 position with carboxylic acids in the presence of hydrosilane was developed for the first time. Instead of aldehydes, more readily available, stable, and easy‐to‐handle carboxylic acids have been employed as alternative alkylating agents. As an efficient organocatalyst, B(C₆F₅)₃ enables the reductive alkylation of various substituted indole derivatives with carboxylic acids with up to 98 % yield at room temperature and under neat conditions. This metal‐free strategy offers an alternative approach for the direct functionalization of indoles to BIMs with carboxylic acids and such protocol allows selective reduction of carboxylic acid to aldehyde in combination with C−C bond formation.     

An Unexpected and Green Synthetic Protocol for Ethyl 1‐Aroyl/Aroylmethyl‐5‐methyl‐3‐methylthiopyrazole‐4‐carboxylates: High Regioselectivity in Alkylation and Acylation Reactions between N‐1 and N‐2 of a Pyrazole Ring

Two series, totaling twelve, of new compounds, ethyl 1‐aroyl/(aroylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐3‐methylthiopyrazole‐4‐carboxylates ( 5 / 6 ), have been synthesized via highly regioselectively acylation and alkylation reactions of ethyl 3‐methyl‐5‐methylthio‐1 H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylate ( 2a ) with aroyl chloride ( 3 ) and eco‐friendly reagents alpha‐tosyloxysubstituted acetophenones ( 4 ), respectively, and a green protocol has been developed. The acylation reactions were carried out under ultrasound irradiation, and the alkylation reactions were under microwave irradiation and ultrasound irradiation, respectively. Conventional reaction conditions, as well as the use of alpha‐bromosubstituted acetophenone ( 4 ′) have also been applied in the synthesis of some randomly selected compounds in both series and have generated identical compounds correspondingly. Unexpected structures of compounds were unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Reactions of 2,2,6‐Trimethyl‐1,3‐dioxin‐4‐one with the Aryl Aldimines Prepared from Thiophene‐2‐carbaldehyde

The reactions of aryl aldimines derived from thiophene‐2‐carbaldehyde ( 5–9 ) with 2,2,6‐trimethyl‐1,3‐dioxin‐4‐one (1) were investigated. The new 1,3‐oxazin‐4‐ones and thienylidene acetoacetamides were obtained in good yields. The synthetic utility of the latter via an intramolecular tandem Friedel–Crafts alkylation–acylation to give tetracyclic heterocyclic rings was also explored.     

Synthesis of New N‐alkyl‐5‐formyl‐2‐methylpyrrole Derivatives from Glucosamine

Glucosamine hydrochloride 1 was treated with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to obtain 2‐methyl‐5‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroxy‐butyl) pyrrole 2a and 2b , respectively. Under the role of NaIO₄, 2a and 2b were successfully transformed into the related 5‐formal pyrrole derivative 3a and 3b , respectively. Compounds 4a – 4d and 5a – 5e were obtained by reacting 3a and 3b with chlorinated hydrocarbons by alkylation reactions, respectively. The structures of all new products were confirmed by IR, NMR, and HRMS spectra.     

Rhodium(III)/Amine Synergistically Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkylation of Aldehydes with α,β‐Unsaturated 2‐Acyl Imidazoles

A synergistic catalysis combination of chiral‐at‐metal rhodium complex and amine catalyst was developed for enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes with α,β‐unsaturated 2‐acyl imidazoles. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Umpolung Strategy for α‐Functionalization of Aldehydes for the Addition of Thiols and other Nucleophiles

Nucleophile–nucleophile coupling is a challenging transformation in organic chemistry. Herein we present a novel umpolung strategy for α‐functionalization of aldehydes with nucleophiles. The strategy uses organocatalytic enamine activation and quinone‐promoted oxidation to access O‐bound quinol‐intermediates that undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions. These quinol‐intermediates react with different classes of nucleophiles. The focus is on an unprecedented organocatalytic oxidative α‐thiolation of aldehydes. The reaction scope is demonstrated for a broad range of thiols and extended to chemoselective bioconjugation, and applicable to a large variety of aldehydes. This strategy can also encompass organocatalytic enantioselective coupling of α‐branched aldehydes with thiols forming quaternary thioethers. Studies indicate a stereoselective formation of the intermediate followed by a stereospecific nucleophilic substitution reaction at a quaternary stereocenter, with inversion of configuration.     

Transformation of 1,2,3‐Thiadiazolyl Hydrazones as Method for Preparation of 1,2,3‐Triazolo[5,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines

The transformation of 1,2,3‐thiadiazolyl hydrazones of aldehydes and ketones including Dimroth rearrangement giving 1‐alkylidenamino‐5‐mercapto‐1,2,3‐triazoles, alkylation of mercapto group of these heterocyclic compounds by α‐bromoacetophenones and cyclization giving 6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1‐b ][1,3,4]thiadizines have been investigated. It was shown that the reaction for hydrazones of acetophenones and benzoaldehydes is diastereoselective. Triazolothiadiazine spiro derivatives were prepared with transformation of hydrazones of cyclic ketones.     

Aza‐Crown Ether Complex Cation Ionic Liquids: Preparation and Applications in Organic Reactions

Aza‐crown ether complex cation ionic liquids (aCECILs) were devised, fabricated, and characterized by using NMR spectroscopy, MS, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), elemental analysis and physical properties. These new and room‐temperature ILs were utilized as catalysts in various organic reactions, such as the cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ to epoxides, esterification of acetic acid and alcohols, the condensation reaction of aniline and propylene carbonate, and Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indole with aldehydes were investigated carefully. In these reactions, the ionic liquid exhibited cooperative catalytic activity between the anion and cation. In addition, the aza‐[18‐C‐6HK][HSO₄]₂ was the best acidic catalyst in the reactions of esterification and Friedel–Crafts alkylation under mild reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of [Zn(ΙΙ)BHPPDAH] as New Heterogeneous Catalyst without Being Immobilized on Any Support and Applied for Mannich Reaction

In this paper, a novel heterogeneous complex of zinc with N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide(BHPPDAH) was synthesized. The catalyst was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the three‐component coupling reactions of aldehydes, alkynes, and amines (A3 coupling) via C–H activation. The reactions could be applied to both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes. Nearly quantitative yields of the desired products were obtained in most cases. The reaction proceeds without any cocatalyst or activator, and water is the only byproduct. The catalyst was quantitatively recovered from the reaction by a simple filtration and reused for five cycles with almost consistent activity.     

Enantioselective Formal α‐Methylation and α‐Benzylation of Aldehydes by Means of Photo‐organocatalysis

Detailed herein is the photochemical organocatalytic enantioselective α‐alkylation of aldehydes with (phenylsulfonyl)alkyl iodides. The chemistry relies on the direct photoexcitation of enamines to trigger the formation of reactive carbon‐centered radicals from iodosulfones, while the ground‐state chiral enamines provide effective stereochemical control over the radical trapping process. The phenylsulfonyl moiety, acting as a redox auxiliary group, facilitates the generation of radicals. In addition, it can eventually be removed under mild reducing conditions to reveal methyl and benzyl groups.     

Unexpected One‐pot Synthesis of Novel 2‐Aminopyrimidine‐4‐ones under Microwave Irradiation

One‐pot, three‐component condensation of guanidine, ethylbenzoylacetate and various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of NaHCO₃ have been investigated by microwave irradiation. The aromatic aldehydes bearing electron‐withdrawing groups undergo condensation with guanidine and ethylbenzoyl‐acetate to afford ethyl‐2‐amino‐4‐aryl‐1,4‐dihydro‐6‐phenylpyrimidine‐5‐carboxylate derivatives via Biginelli reaction. However, reaction of the aromatic aldehydes having electron‐releasing groups with guanidine and ethylbenzoylacetate did not give the corresponding dihydropyrimidines. Instead, novel 2‐amino‐5‐benzoyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐6‐arylpyrimidine‐4(3H)‐ones were obtained via an unexpected mechanism.